Train-lighting system.



No. 799,527. PATENTBD SEPT. l2, 1905. W. L. BLISS.

TRAIN LIGHTING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION Hum Amm., 1905.

FN T

ATTORNEY UNITED STATES IIlENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM BLISS, OE BROOKLYN, NEINT YORK, ASSIGNOR TO BLISS ELECTRIC CAR LIGHTING COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF IVISCONSIN.

TRAIN-'LIGHTING SYSTEM.

A Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 12, 1905.

Application filed April 24,1905. Serial No. 257,141.

T0 all wtowt it may concern.-

Be it known that I, W ILLIAM L. BLIss, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Train-Lighting Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, formingapart of this speciiication.

The present invention relates to improvements in lighting systems which are especially adapted to be employed for lighting cars or other units of transportation by electricity.

The particular form of system to which the present invention relates is especially adapted to be employed for lighting a train of cars. Each car in the train is equipped with a storage battery and lamps, and a single generator, which is driven by an axle or similar means, furnishes current to all of the cars.

The present application sets forth and claims a modification of an invention which is disclosed in an application filed by me June 16, 1904:, Serial No. 212,835.

According to the present invention an automatic rheostatic device or variable resistance is employed to regulate the generator, so as to confine the output thereof within prearranged limits notwithstanding its wide variations in speed.

It is the object of the present invention to provide means which will prevent the automatic rheostatic device from altering the regulation of the generator upon such variations in current as result from changes in the numberof cars inthe train and in the number of lamps in operation.

The accompanying drawingillustratesasystem which will be explained for the purpose of disclosing thc present invention. It will of course be understood that the system illustrated in said drawing may be changed in many ways without departing from the invention, and, furthermore, that the drawing illustrates merely suflicient features of the system to disclose the invention.

The generator which furnishes the current to light the cars is preferably arranged upon the tender of the locomotive; but it may be located elsewhere upon the train. It is preferably provided with an armature 1 and a shunt field-winding 2, and the armature is preferably geared to an axle. The field-circuit of the generator is preferably provided with a variable resistance 3 for regulating the strength of the current in the field-winding 2. The resistance 3 may be composed of a series of resistance-plates, of carbon or other suitable material, said plates being placed in contact with each other and arranged between a stationary terminal blockli and a movable terminal block 5. The position of the stationary terminal block may be adjusted by a screw 6. The movable terminal block is preferably mounted upon a plunger 7. The resistanceplates are caused to press together by a spring 8, and the tension of said spring may be adjusted by a screw 9. The pressure between the resistance-plates is regulated by an electromagnet 10, which attracts the plunger 7. Upon an increase in the strength of said magnet the pressure between the resistance-plates will be decreased, thereby increasing the resistance in the field-circuit of the generator, and likewise upon a decrease in the strength of said'magnet the pressure between said plates will be increased, thereby decreasing the resistance in the field-circuit of the generator.

Through the train may extend a train-line, which is preferably composed ofconductors 11, 12, and 13. The conductors 12 and 13 are preferably connected to the generator by supply-mains 14 and 15 at the forward end of tbe train, and the conductors 11 and 12 are preferably connected to each other at the rear end of the train.

The stationary terminal block 4 is preferably connected to one terminal of the generator, and the movable terminal block 5 and the shunt field-winding 2 are preferably connected to the other terminal of the generator, thereby placing the variable resistance 3 and the shunt field-winding 2 in series with each other and in shunt with the armature 1. The

eleotromagnet 10, which controls the variable resistances, may be arranged in the main circuit inv series with the armature of the generator.

The equipment which is provided for each car will now be explained. The drawing illustrates the equipments for two cars, and as both equipments are alike reference will be made to a single car in explaining the same.

Each car is preferably provided with a storage battery 16 and translating devices or lamps IOO 17. The storage battery and the lamps are connected to a local circuit composed of conductors 19 and 2O and extending across the train-line, said storage battery being arranged in one parallel branch of said local circuit and said lamps in another. As the length of the circuit between the generator and each local circuit is the same, equal voltages will be impressed upon the local circuits.

The lamp branch of the local circuit is preferably provided with a switch 20, by which the circuit of the lamps may be opened and closed. The local circuit is preferably provided with an automatic switch for connecting the storage battery and the lamps to the generator and disconnecting the same therefrom. The automatic switch may be provided with stationary contacts 21 and 22 and a movable contact 23. The movable contact is preferably carried by a plunger 24, which is actuated by electric magnetic windings 25 and 26 to operate the switch. The winding 25 is preferably arranged across the local circuit between the switch-contacts and the trainline, and the winding 26 is preferably arranged in the local circuit in series with the switchcontacts and the storage battery. The shuntwinding' 25 will cause the switch to close whenever the voltage of the generator equals that of the storage battery, and while the switch remains closed the series winding 26 Will be energized by current in the local circuit. So long as the generator sends current through the local circuit the series winding 26 will assist the shunt-winding 25 in keeping the movable contact firmly in engagement With the station ary contacts; but whenever the storage battery sends current through the local circuit, as occurs when the voltage of the generator falls below that of said battery, the series winding will oppose the shunt-winding, and thereby cause the switch to open.

/Vhen the generator is in operation, current will flow from the supply-main 14, through train-line 12, to train-line 11. Thenee it will 'flow dividingly through the local circuits, and finally it will reunite in train-line 13 and fiow through supply-main 15 and electromagnet If the voltage of the generator be substantially equal to that of the storage battery, the generator and the storage battery will cooperate in furnishing the current for operating' the lamps, but if it be greater than that of the storage battery the generator will furnish the entire current for operating the lamps, and, in addition, it will furnish current for charging the storage battery. It being assumed that the latter condition eX- ists, current will How in the local circuits from the local main 19, through switch-contacts 21, 23, and 22, thence dividingly through the battery branch and the lamp branch of the local circuit to the local main 18. When the generator becomes inoperative, the automatic switch will open, and thus prevent the storage battery from discharging current unto the train-line, and the lamps will then be operated by current from the storage battery.

Upon an increase in the speed of the armaof the field-winding 2 being thus varied inversely as the speed of the armature 1 varies, the generator will be regulated to confine the output thereof within prearranged limits notwithstanding the wide variations in speed to which it is subjected. Inasniiuch as the current for charging the storage battery will increase in almost direct proportion to the risc in Voltage of the generator above the normal voltage of said battery, the electromagnet 10 will be subjected to considerable Variations in current upon slight variations in the speed of the generator, and in consequence it will be very effective in performing its functions. It will of course be understood that various forms of rheostatic devices may be employed to regulate the generator and that the same may operate in various ways.

From the local circuit of each car to one of the terminals of the generator extends a shunt-circuit 27, which passes around the electromagnet 10. It is preferably provided with a variable resistance 28, which may be composed of a series of resistance-plates of carbon or other suitable material. The resistance-plates are placed in contact, and the pressure between the same is regulated by an electromagnet 29, which attracts the plunger 30. The electromagnet 29 is preferably arranged in the lamp branch of the local eircuit.

The current which the generator delivers depends upon the number o 'f cars in the train and the number of translating devices in operation. lf the number of cars be increased, the output of the generator will increase, and likewise if the number of cars be decreased, the output of the generator will decrease. Moreover, if the number of lamps in operation in any car be increased, the output of the generator will increase, and likewise if the number of said lamps be decreased the output of the generator will decrease. The generator will therefore deliver sufiicient current to supply all demands. It may be assumed Where there are two cars in the train, as illustrated in the drawing, that the generator delivers seventy amperes, thirty-five amperes being distributed to each car. Upon adding a lcar to the train the output of the generator Will lncrease to one hundred and hve amperes, and upon taking one away from the tram 1t IOS IIO

will decrease to thirty-tive amperes. It may loe further assumed that in each car twenty amperes are consumed by the lamps and lifteen arnperes are delivered to the storage battery. Upon increasing the number of lamps in operation until thirty-five amperes are consumed thereby the output of the generator will increase until iifty amperes are distributed between the storage battery and the lamps. The current for charging the storage battery will therefore remain lifteen amperes, notwithstanding the change in the current consumed by the lamps. When the numloer of cars in the train is changed, an additional parallel shunt-circuit 27 will be placed around the electromagnet lO for each car which is added to the train, or one parallel shunt-circuit will be removed from around said magnet for each car which is taken away from the train. These changes in the number of parallel shunt-circuits will so change the portion of the output of the generator which is carried around the electromagnet 10 that no substantial change will take place in the current in said magnet. W'henever the number of lamps in operation in any car is increased, the current in the electromagnet 29 will increase, and'thereby cause the resistance 28 to be decreased. Likewise whenever the number of lamps in operation in any car is decreased the current in said magnet will decrease, and thereby cause the resistance 28 to be increased. These variations in the resistance 28 will cause the current diverted from the magnet 'l0 to so vary that no substantial variation will take place in the current in said magnet. The current in the electromagnet 10 will therefore remain substantially constant so long as the speed of the generator remains' constant, notwithstanding changes in the number of cars in the train and in the number of translating devices in operation. If said magnet were subjected to variations in current upon changes in the number of cars in the train and in the number of translatingl devices in operation, it would cause the variable resistance 3 to so alter the strength of the field-winding 2 that the generator would be incapable of delivering sufficient current for alarger number of cars, and it would perhaps deliver excessive current for a lesser number of cars.

It will be understood that various means may be employed to regulate or limit the voltage impressed upon the lamps.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-l 1. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed, a storage battery and translating devices carried upon each of a plurality ofunits of the train and connected to said generator, an automatic rheostatic device for regulating said generator to confine the output thereof within prearranged limits, an electromagnet for controlling the operation of said device, said magnet being arranged in circuit to be subjected to variations in current upon variations in the speed of said generator, and means for preventing said magnet from causing said device to alter the regulations of said generator upon changes in the number of cars in the train and in the number of translating devices in operation in any car.

2. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at .a variable speed and provided with a shunt field-winding, a storage battery and translating devices carried upon each of a plurality of units of the train and connected to said generator, a variable resistance arranged in the field-circuit of said generator, an electromagnet for varying said resistances to regulate said generator and thereby confine the output thereof within prearranged limits, said magnet being arranged in circuits so as to be subjected to variations in current upon variations in the speed of said generator, and means for preventing said magnet from being subjected to variations in current upon variations in the output of said generator resulting from changes in the number of cars in the train and in the number of translating devices in operation in any car.

3. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed, a storage battery and translating devices carried upon each of a plurality of units of the train, means for automatically connecting said storage batteries and said lamps to said generator and disconnecting the same therefrom, an automatic rheostatic device for regulating said generator to coniine the output thereof within prearranged limits, an electromagnet for controlling the operation of said device and arranged in circuit to be subjected to variations in current upon variations in the speed of said generator, and means for preventing said magnet from causing said device to alter the regulation of the generator upon changes in the number of cars in the train and in the number of translating devices in operation in any car.

4l.. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed, a storage battery and translating devices carried upon each of a plurality of units of the train, means for automatically connecting said ster'- age batteries and translating devices to said generator and disconnecting the same therefrom, a variable resistance arranged in the field-circuit of the said generator, an electromagnet for varying said resistance to regulate said generator and thereby confine the output thereof within prearranged limits, the means for preventing said magnet from being subjected to variations in current upon changes in the number of cars in the train and in the number of translating devices in operation in any car.

IOO

IIO

ISO

5. In a train-lighting' system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed, a main circuit extending' from said generator, a storage battery and translating' device carried upon each of a plurality of units ofthe train and connected to said main circuit, an automatic rheostatic device for regulating' the generator to confine the output thereof within jnearranged limits, a series electric mag'net for controlling' the operation of said device, said magnet being arranged in said main circuit, and means4 for preventing' said magnet from being' subjected to variations in current upon changes in the number of cars in the train and in the number of translating devices in operation in any car.

6. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed, a Storage battery and translating devices carried upon each of a plurality of units of the train and connected to said generator, an automatic rheostatic device for regulating said generator te confine the output thereof Within prearrang'ed limits, an electromag'net for controlling' the operation of said device, said magnet being arranged in circuit to be subjected to variations in current upon variations in the speed of said g'enerator, a shunt-circuit eX- tending from each of said units and passing around said electromagnet, a variable resistance arranged in each shunt-circuit, and means for controlling' the resistance of each shuntcircuit.

7. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed, an automatic rheostatic device for regulating said generator to confine the output thereof within prearranged limits, an electromagnet for controlling` the operation of said device, said magnet being' arranged in circuit to be subjected to variations in current upon variations in the speed of said generator, a storage battery and translating' devices carried upon each of a plurality of units of the train and connected to said generator, a shunt-circuit eX- tending from each of said units and passing around said magnet, and means for varying the resistance of said shunt-circuits upon variations in the current consumed by said translating devices.

8. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed, a main circuit extending from said generator, a local circuit arranged upon each of a plurality of units of the train, a storage battery and translating' devices connected to each local,

circuit, an automatic rheostatic device for regulating' said generator to confine the output thereof Within prearranged limits, a series electromagnet for controlling the operation of said rheostatic device, said magnet being arranged in said main circuit, a parallel shuntcircuit extending from each local circuit and passing' around said magnet, and means for automatically varying' the resistance of said shunt-circuits upon variations in the current consumed by said translating devices.

9. In a train-lighting' system, in combination, a generator criven at a variable speed and carried upon one of the units of the train, an automatic rhcostatic device for regulating said generator to conline the output thereof Within prearrang'ed limits, said device being' carried upon the same unit of the train as said generator, an electromag'net for controlling the operation of said device, said magnet being arranged in circuit to be subjected to variations in current upon variations in the speed of said generator, a storage battery and lamps carried upon another unit of the train and connected in circuit with said generator, saidl battery being' arranged in one parallel branch circuit and said lamps in another, a shunt-circuit extending from the last-mentioned unit to the first-mentioned unit and passing around said magnet, a variable resistance arranged in said shunt-circuit, and an electromagnet arranged in the lamp branch circuit and controlling said resistance.

lO. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed and carried upon one of the units of the train, a main circuit extending from said generator, an automatic rheostatic device for regulating said generator to confine the output thereof Within prearranged limits, said device being arranged upon the same unit of the train as said generator, a series electromag'net for controlling' the operation of said rheostatic device, said magnet being' arranged in said main circuit, a local circuit arranged upon another unit of the train, a storage battery and lamps arranged in said local circuit, said storage battery being' arranged in one parallel branch of said local circuit and said lamps in another, a shunt-circuit extending from said local circuit and passing around said n'lagnet, a variable resistance arranged in said shunt-circuit, and an electron'iag'net for controlling said variable resistance and arranged in the lamp branch of said local circuit.

l1. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed and carried upon one of the units of the train, an automatic rheostatic device for regulating said generator to confine the output thereof Within prearranged limits, said device being' carried upon the same unit of the train as said generator, a series electronlagnet for controlling the operation of said rheostatic device, said magnet being arranged in said main circuit, a local circuit arranged upon another unit of the train, a storage battery and lamps connected to said local circuit, said storage battery being' arranged in one parallel branch of said local circuit and said translating' devices in another, an automatic switch for connecting said storage battery and said translating' devices to said generator and disconnecting' the same therefrom, a shunt-circuit IOO ITO

extending from said local circuit and passing around said magnet, a variable resistance arranged in said shunt-circuit, and an electromagnet arranged in the lamp branch circuit and controlling said variable resistance.

12. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed, an automatic rheostatic device for regulating said generator to confine the output thereof Within prearranged limits, an electromagnet for controlling the operation of said rheostatic device, said magnet being arranged in circuit to be subjected to variations in current upon variations in the speed of said generator, a storage battery and lamps carried upon each of a plurality of units of the train, said storage battery being arranged in one parallel branch circuit and said lamps in another, a parallel shunt-circuit extending' from each of said units and passing' around said magnet, a variable resistance arranged in each shunt-circuit', and an electromagnet arranged in each lamp branch circuit and controlling the variable resistance upon the unit of the train therewith.

13. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed, a main circuit extending from said generator, an automatic rheostatic device for regulating said generator to confine the output thereof Within prearrang'ed limits, a series electromagnet for controlling the operation of said rheostatic device, said magnet being arranged in said main circuit, a local circuit arranged upon each of a plurality of units of the train and connected to said main circuit, a storage battery and lamps arranged in each local circuit, said storage battery being arranged in one parallel branch ot' said local circuit and said lamps in another, a shunt-circuit extending from each local circuit and passing around said magnet, a variable resistance arranged in each shunt-circuit, and an electromagnet arranged in the lamp branch of each local circuit and controlling the variable resistance upon the unit of the train therewith.

14. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed, a main circuit extending from said generator, a variable resistance arranged in the field-circuit ot' said generator, a series electromagnet for varying said resistance to regulate said generator, and thereby confine the output'thereo'f within prearranged limits, said magnet being arranged in said main circuit, a local circuit arranged upon each of a plurality or' units of the train and connected to said main circuit, a storage battery and lamps arranged in each local circuit, said storage battery being arranged in one parallel branch of said local circuit and said lamps in another, a shunt-circuit extending from each local circuit and passing around said magnet, a variable resistance arranged in said shunt-circuit, andan electromagnet arranged in the lamp branch of each local circuit and controlling' the variable resistance upon the unit of the train therewith.

15. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed and carried upon the tender of the locomotive, an automatic rheostatie device for regulating said generator to coniine the output thereof Within prearranged limits, said device being carried upon said tender, an electromagnet for controlling` the operation of said rheostatic device and arranged in circuit to respond to variations in current upon variations in the speed of said generator, a storage battery and -lamps carried upon a car, said storage battery being arranged in one parallel branch circuit and said lamps in another, a shunt-circuit extending from said car and passing around said magnet, a variable resistance arranged in said shunt-circuit, and an electromagnet for controlling said variable resistance, said magnet being arranged in the lamp branch circuit.

16. In a train-lighting system, in combination, a generator driven at a variable speed, an automatic rheostatic device for regulating said generator to confine the output thereotl Within prearranged limits, an electromagnet for controlling the operation of said rheostatic device, said magnet being so larranged in circuit as to be subjected to variations in current upon variations in the speed of said generator, a storage battery and translating devices carried upon each of a plurality of units of the train and connected to said generator, a shunt-circuit extending' from each of said units, and passing around said tield- Winding, and means for automatically causing' the current in said shunt-circuits to so vary upon variations in the current consumed. by said translating' devices as to prevent substantial variations in the current in said magnet.

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM L. BLISS.

fitnessesz J. N. ROBERTSON, ANNA M. LYNCH.

IGO 

